Lodi, The Garden Restaurant offers a new Mediterranean menu this winter.

ALL THOSE bored with the ubiquitous tandoori samplers can now try Mediterranean Magic at New Delhi's Lodi, The Garden Restaurant on Lodi Road. The new live band with soft mesmerising vocals takes one away from the hustle bustle of the city. Situated among lush greens, the dining experience under a moonlit sky, a comfortable meal with a glass of wine is certainly celebration time for those prone to poetic fancies.

The diverse Mediterranean cuisine in authentic flavours leaves lingering memories for the taste buds. Saurabh Sabharwal, Assistant General Manager of the restaurant, says, "I saw that the menu needs to be changed now as it is slightly old, and now we will be reviving our menu every six months, keeping in mind the tastes of the customers." The turn of the season promises a new menu with old favourites and new recipes.

The menu has variety of flavours, from pate maison and pan-fried prawns as starters, to cream soup of button mushrooms and green asparagus and char grilled pepper soup. The grill section offers rainbow trout (white wine infused in stripped fillets of trout, grilled and served with steamed assorted vegetables, roast potato and yellow pimento coulis), lamb Moroccan (spring lamb shoulder enhanced with harissa - a fiery paste made of chillies, caraway, rosemary and garlic) and gambas al zafron (prawns cooked in saffron veloute served with grilled vegetables and crab fumet). Vegetarians can try the vegetable moussaka, layered vegetables baked with mozzarella and parmesan - recommended to be had with warm bread and a glass of red wine and a brochette of garden vegetables served on a bed of saffron rice and pesto flavoured tomato sauce.

A must try is tiramisu Milanaise, the traditional sabayon of mascarpone cheese. For the sweet tooth, another delight try is baklava Istanbuli, known as the queen of all pastries, with exotic flavours baked with crushed dry nuts, granulated sugar and rose water served with a cup of strong black coffee and chocolate mousse.